Mutated androgen receptors of prostate-cancer cells

To the Editor: The study by Taplin and colleagues (May 25 issue)¹ provides strong evidence supporting the role of mutant androgen receptors in the emergence of prostate cancer refractory to hormone treatment. We were surprised, however, that these investigators tested the function of the mutated androgen receptors only with estradiol and progesterone. Although stimulation of mutant androgen receptors by these steroids may prove to be of clinical importance, we think that possible functional effects of antiandrogens (such as hydroxyflutamide and bicalutamide) and weak adrenal androgens (such as androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone) on mutated androgen receptors are more relevant. We have hypothesized.